Saint Charles, KY Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water compliance in Saint Charles, KY ranks below average — documented gaps in multiple service areas.
How Saint Charles Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Saint Charles Water
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $900 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Saint Charles
Water delivery in Saint Charles, KY is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 3 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint Charles, Kentucky (population ~494), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 7,113 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Charles — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Charles: D (53/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Saint Charles water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Charles
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42453 | D | NORTONVILLE WATER WORKS | 2,611 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Charles
- 42453 [D]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Housing & Infrastructure in Saint Charles
With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Saint Charles's median build year of 1978 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Saint Charles were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Saint Charles Homeowners
Across Saint Charles, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Saint Charles are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 39% below the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Saint Charles
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Routinely in Saint Charles, where 70% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Saint Charles
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Saint Charles, KY